Barramundi Fishing | Fishing Advice Blog

August 24th, 2011 | Author: Fishing_tips

Barramundi fishing is one of the favorite past times of many Aussie Fishermen. Not only are Barra known for their impressive somersaults when hooked but also they also can be one of the better table fish found in Australian waters.

Name: Barramundi, Barra (Lates calcarifer)

Seasons: Barramundi fishing is most productive when the water is hotter in North Australian waters. From the end of August to December the weather “builds up” when the water and air temperatures and humidity levels increase. The other best time of year for Barra fishing is the “run off” when the wet season winds down from late March and the water is running off the flood plains. In some areas it is illegal to intentionally catch Barramundi over the wet season.

Barramundi Fishing Hot Spots

The Kimberley rivers such as the Fitzroy near Broome, the Pentecost and King rivers near Wyndham and the Ord, Victoria and Keep flood plains near Kununurra are well liked for Barra fishing. The Ord flood plains in particular being famous for big Barramundi over a meter in length.

Almost all of the Territory coastal systems and estuaries are good for Barramundi fishing. The Katherine and Daly flood plains flowing to the west coast are popular with fishos chasing big Barramundi. The Daly hosts two dedicated Barra fishing competitions annually. The Mary, Wildman and Adelaide flood plains and the South and East Alligator flood plains flow to the north between Darwin and Kakadu and are easily accessible Barra fishing flood plains.

Arnhemland is a massive Aboriginal owned area in the north east of the Territory. Permission is required to enter Arnhemland, which is difficult to acquire for free travelling. The Liverpool river coastal region at Maningrida is one of the finest Barramundi fishing areas in the country and a first class guided fishing and accommodation facility operates here giving fishermen access to the awesome Barramundi fishing of the nearby sytems.

The Tiwi Islands 100 klm to the north are also superb for Barra fishing. Again they are only accessible with registration and an excellent fishing lodge operates on Melville Island.

On the western coast of the NT the McArthur and the Roper River accessed from near Borroloola are wonderful Barramundi fishing locations but again are remote.

Queensland is also a Barramundi fishing heaven. The Albert and Leichardt systems near Burktown and Karumba at the base of the Gulf of Carpentaria are fantastic Barra locations.

All the streams of Cape York are also productive Barramundi locations in particular the west coast rivers such as the Jackson, Cotterel, Skardon and Jardin.

These are simply a few of many excellent Barramundi fishing locations in the North of Australia. Just don’t make the error of targeting solely on Barramundi as the bountiful tropical waters of the north are home to over 50 more frequently caught sports fish. Jewfish, Salmon, Cobia, Cod, Groper, Coral Trout, Giant and Golden Trevally, Snapper, Tuna and Mangove Jack simply to name a few.

Paul Collery is a fishing enthusiast, and writer based in Australia who has fished in numerous locations around the globe. He runs a company called Sports Fishing Adventures
that focuses on guided Barramundi fishing safaris and other fishing holidays to unique and remote locations around Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.